TOURISM is one of the largest industries in the UK, accounting for 3.5 per cent of the UK economy which is worth about £74.2 billion when last measured in 2003.

Many businesses in Worces-tershire and Herefordshire have contributed to this figure. With this in mind, the counties' Chamber of Com-merce wanted to recognise and reward these businesses for their contribution to the local economy. New to this year's category line-up at the Chamber of Commerce Here-fordshire and Worcestershire Awards, taking place on June 21 at Worcester Rugby Club, Sixways, is the Excellence in Tourism award, being sponsored by Worcestershire County Council.

This new award is open to all tourism businesses across the board, whether that is a small restaurant, campsite, visitor attraction or national hotel chain.

Christine Jones, chief executive for the Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: "Worc-estershire alone attracts nearly 10 million visitors each year who spend about £370 million and help to support almost 11,000 jobs, which is absolutely phenomenal.

"With this fact, and along with the feedback we received at our awards ceremony last year, it was decided that the award categories already in place didn't cover the right criteria for this industry sector to enter, hence this new award has been introduced.

"The quality of entries, since the chamber's awards started in 2001, has just got better, making the judging process more exciting. I feel with the introduction of this new award, it will really open up the range and type of businesses that can enter, who may not have felt eligible to apply before."

For more information on the new Excellence in Tourism award, or about being part of the chamber awards 2007, call the membership team on 0845 641 1641.